An uptick in patients expressing nighttime vision concerns has been noted by Saskatoon optometrist Rachael Berger.
âI’m seeing a concerning number of young, healthy individuals coming in and saying, âI’m struggling to see at night, what’s happening,ââ she shared with The Current guest host Peter Armstrong.
She reassures patients that it’s not them â it’s the rising use of LED headlights on vehicles.
During dark conditions, Berger explains that the rods in our eyes activate to aid visibility.
âWhen you’re driving at night and your rods are engaged, and suddenly there’s this burst of light, it can be very startling because our night vision system isn’t prepared or expecting that,â she elaborated.
Advocates are urging the federal government and automakers to revise their regulations and industry standards regarding bright headlights to strike a better balance between enhancing drivers’ visibility without compromising others’ safety.
LED headlights can be up to four times brighter than other light sources. Exposure to intense, concentrated light can lead to discomfort glare, an irritating or painful sensation caused by bright light inducing visual fatigue, as per Berger. Abrupt, bright light flashes are sometimes referred to as âglare monsters.â
The increasing use of LED headlights in new cars is resulting in what experts describe as discomfort glare due to extreme brightness.
People may also experience discomfort glare after prolonged exposure to bright headlights from oncoming vehicles or through rearview mirrors, says vehicle lighting consultant Daniel Stern.
Stern, the principal editor of Vancouver-based <
